Over the last two years, the Astros have watched shortstop Jiovanni Mier play more than 40 games, either at Bonita High in LaVerne, Cal., or at showcase summer tournaments. The 18-year-old’s presence in the middle of the field and at the plate caught Astros assistant general manager Bobby Heck’s attention.

“He looks right,” Heck said about the 6-2, 180-pound Mier, whom the Astros picked in the first round Tuesday with the 21st pick in baseball’s first-year player draft.

“He’s very confident. He’s poised. He has field awareness. He looks like a major league shortstop and plays like one and carries himself beyond his years.”

Mier, 18, hit .394 with 18 RBIs, five home runs, 10 doubles and a .545 on-base percentage this past season at Bonita High.

In the second round, the Astros chose Tanner Bushue, a 6-4 righthanded pitcher from South Central High of Farina, Ill. He was 8-3 with a 0.62 ERA this year with 140 strikeouts.

Outfielder Telvin Nash was the Astros’ third-round pick with the 100th overall pick. Because they didn’t sign last year’s third-round pick, the Astros were awarded a compensatory pick in the third round (111th overall), which they used to select third baseman Jonathan Meyer of Simi Valley (Calif.) High.

‘The quicker the better’

Although he has signed a letter of intent to play at USC, Mier shares Heck’s optimism that a deal with the Astros can be reached.

“He wants to play,” Heck said. “He made that well known. He was actually here at our workout this past Friday, but there’s a long body of work on him. He’s made no bones about that he wants to go out and play.”

Mier, who hits and throws from the right side, was joined by his mother, Leticia, last Friday during the Astros’ private workout for top prospects at Minute Maid Park.

At that point, he met with several Astros officials, and it’s clear he wants to start his professional career sooner than later.

“Yeah, definitely,” Mier said. “My ultimate goal is to get out there and play. So the quicker the better. I know definitely we’ll come up with something. I’m just glad I’ll get a chance to go out there and play.”

“I’m a Jeter fan,” Mier said. “My dad (Fausto) always had me watch him growing up and the way he goes about the business, the way he plays the game, the way he just goes about everything, to carrying himself on the field and off the field. I really try to resemble him.”

Mier’s baseball abilities weren’t the only aspects the Astros scrutinized.

“As you guys know, we covet makeup,” Heck said. “This is a very good family environment he’s from. ...

“His brother is a professional baseball player as well. This is a baseball family and very supportive. They told us they’d like him to land here prior to the draft.”

A ringing endorsement

Now it’s just a matter of getting a contract signed to ship Mier off to the minor leagues.

“We thought he was the best baseball player, a middle of the field player,” Heck said. “Like you guys have heard me say many times before, this is a true shortstop who stays at shortstop. He has defensive ability and offensive ability as well. We think he’s going to grow into some power as well.”